For Catholics, it provides a festive season of food and fun before the Lenten fasting period begins. During the late medieval times, plays were performed during the Lenten period called Fastnachspiele.
In pre-Christian times, carnival celebrations symbolised the driving out of winter, and all of its evil spirits. Hence the mask for scaring away these spirits. The carnival celebrations in southern Germany and Switzerland reflect these traditions.
The traditions can be traced back to historical events. After the French Revolution, the French took over Rhineland. Out of protest against French oppression, Germans from Cologne and surrounding areas would mock their politicians and leaders safely behind masks during carnival season. Even today, caricatures of politicians and other personalities can be boldly portrayed on floats in the parades
The local celebration of the Fasching carnival party was held by the German Stammtisch (round table) group at the Three Chameleons golf resort, on the borders of Blanco where the panoramic view during sunset added to the atmosphere as they merrily danced, sang and enjoyed Pretzel, bockwurst and potato salad and other wholesome German food. Peter Ramsauer founded the group four years ago at the Alpine Restaurant. Of late they meet every second Tuesday at Three Chameleons at 18:00.
Charmaine Botha, her mom Marie Beauzic and Wolfgang Schaub strike a German carnival pose.
